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Questions and Answers
What is the length of the double-stranded DNA that wraps around a nucleosome core particle?
What is the length of the double-stranded DNA that wraps around a nucleosome core particle?
Which histone proteins are included in the nucleosome core particle?
Which histone proteins are included in the nucleosome core particle?
What model describes how nucleosomes are packed into a chromatin fiber?
What model describes how nucleosomes are packed into a chromatin fiber?
What forms the linkages between nucleosomes in the chromatin structure?
What forms the linkages between nucleosomes in the chromatin structure?
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What is the approximate separation distance between nucleosomes?
What is the approximate separation distance between nucleosomes?
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What type of bonds connect the nucleotides in a DNA strand?
What type of bonds connect the nucleotides in a DNA strand?
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Which nitrogen-containing bases are found in DNA?
Which nitrogen-containing bases are found in DNA?
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What charge does a phosphate group in a nucleotide carry?
What charge does a phosphate group in a nucleotide carry?
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What is the correct sequence of nucleotides for a DNA chain starting with the base Adenine at the 5' end?
What is the correct sequence of nucleotides for a DNA chain starting with the base Adenine at the 5' end?
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Which part of the nucleotide is known to be covalently linked through phosphodiester bonds?
Which part of the nucleotide is known to be covalently linked through phosphodiester bonds?
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What is the main structural feature of the DNA molecule?
What is the main structural feature of the DNA molecule?
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How are base pairs held together in the DNA double helix?
How are base pairs held together in the DNA double helix?
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Which component is not present in a nucleotide?
Which component is not present in a nucleotide?
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What is the approximate length of human genome DNA in nucleotide pairs?
What is the approximate length of human genome DNA in nucleotide pairs?
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Which of the following describes heterochromatin?
Which of the following describes heterochromatin?
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How many genes coding for proteins are estimated to be in the human genome?
How many genes coding for proteins are estimated to be in the human genome?
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What characterizes the interphase of the cell cycle?
What characterizes the interphase of the cell cycle?
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Which protein is NOT part of nucleosomes?
Which protein is NOT part of nucleosomes?
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What is the extent of DNA compaction during mitosis?
What is the extent of DNA compaction during mitosis?
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What are nucleosomes fundamentally associated with?
What are nucleosomes fundamentally associated with?
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How long would chromosome 22 extend if laid out as one long double helix?
How long would chromosome 22 extend if laid out as one long double helix?
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What form does chromatin take during interphase?
What form does chromatin take during interphase?
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Which phase of interphase is characterized by DNA copying?
Which phase of interphase is characterized by DNA copying?
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What type of bond is formed when two nucleotides are linked together?
What type of bond is formed when two nucleotides are linked together?
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What happens to the pyrophosphate group during the reaction?
What happens to the pyrophosphate group during the reaction?
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In the double helix structure, what holds the two strands together?
In the double helix structure, what holds the two strands together?
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Which of the following statements about base pairing is correct?
Which of the following statements about base pairing is correct?
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What characteristic of the two polynucleotide chains allows for proper base pairing?
What characteristic of the two polynucleotide chains allows for proper base pairing?
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What is the arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbones in the double helix?
What is the arrangement of the sugar-phosphate backbones in the double helix?
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How many hydrogen bonds form between Adenine and Thymine?
How many hydrogen bonds form between Adenine and Thymine?
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Why is pairing a two-ring base (purine) with a single-ring base (pyrimidine) energetically favorable?
Why is pairing a two-ring base (purine) with a single-ring base (pyrimidine) energetically favorable?
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What is the primary function of telomeres in eukaryotic chromosomes?
What is the primary function of telomeres in eukaryotic chromosomes?
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How many pairs of homologous chromosomes do typical eukaryotic cells possess?
How many pairs of homologous chromosomes do typical eukaryotic cells possess?
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What is the structure formed by DNA tightly bound with proteins called?
What is the structure formed by DNA tightly bound with proteins called?
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What is the role of the centromere in chromosomes?
What is the role of the centromere in chromosomes?
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What is the significance of the number of base pairs in a complete turn of a DNA helix?
What is the significance of the number of base pairs in a complete turn of a DNA helix?
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What unique feature characterizes the two grooves of the DNA molecule?
What unique feature characterizes the two grooves of the DNA molecule?
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Which of the following statements is true concerning the karyotype of chromosomes?
Which of the following statements is true concerning the karyotype of chromosomes?
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What happens to telomeres during multiple cell divisions?
What happens to telomeres during multiple cell divisions?
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Study Notes
DNA Structure
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) consists of two long polynucleotide chains made of four nucleotide types.
- Each chain is defined as a "DNA strand" and the strands run antiparallel, connected by hydrogen bonds at their bases.
- Nucleotides comprise a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base; they form a sugar-phosphate backbone via covalent bonds.
Nucleotides
- Nucleotides include adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T), with ribose sugar in RNA.
- Nucleotides are negatively charged due to the phosphate group; they connect through phosphodiester bonds between the 5' and 3' carbon atoms of the sugar rings.
Double Helix Structure
- DNA twists into a right-handed double helix, with two grooves: major and minor.
- A complete turn of the helix includes approximately 10.4 base pairs.
- Bases pair based on size and bonding: A pairs with T (two hydrogen bonds), while G pairs with C (three hydrogen bonds), allowing stable helical formation.
Chromosome Organization
- Eukaryotic cells have 22 pairs of homologous chromosomes plus one pair of sex chromosomes.
- Each chromosome comprises a single, long DNA molecule complexed with proteins to form chromatin, essential for gene expression and DNA maintenance.
Karyotype
- Chromosomes can be visualized and arranged in numerical order to create a karyotype, aiding in analysis of genetic information and irregularities.
Centromeres and Telomeres
- Centromeres serve as attachment points for sister chromatids during cell division, ensuring proper chromosomal alignment.
- Telomeres protect chromosome ends from degradation, shortening slightly with each cell division to maintain genome integrity.
Chromatin States
- Chromatin exists in two forms: heterochromatin (condensed and transcriptionally inactive) and euchromatin (decondensed and active in transcription).
- During interphase, chromatin remains tightly packed but can decondense to facilitate access to specific DNA sequences.
Nucleosomes
- Nucleosomes are the fundamental units of chromatin, consisting of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.
- Each nucleosome contains an octamer of histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) around which 147 nucleotide pairs of DNA coil.
Packing and Compaction
- Nucleosomes are separated by linker DNA, with a repeating structure occurring every 200 nucleotide pairs.
- Chromatin often adopts a hierarchical structure, forming looped domains that promote further compaction through interactions between histone tails.
Summary of DNA Packaging
- DNA molecules are compacted efficiently within the nucleus using proteins, achieving approximately 7000-fold reduction from their extended state.
- Understanding nuclear structure, including the nuclear envelope and lamina, aids in comprehending cellular organization and gene regulation.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structure of DNA and the role of nucleotides. This quiz covers the double helix formation, nucleotide composition, and base pairing rules. Perfect for students studying molecular biology or biochemistry.